Gu Jin’an had no time to lose his temper, he still had things on his mind, and said to Young Master Dou, "I need to go out and ask San Lang for something."

Young Master Dou perked up at once, quickly telling Dou Zhi, "Hurry up and send someone to invite Company Commander Qin over, tell him Good Brother An needs to see him for an urgent matter."

"Yes, I’ll send someone right away." Dou Zhi knew that her master cared a lot about Company Commander Qin, and immediately turned to call someone to find Qin San Lang.

Gu Jin’an glanced at Young Master Dou and said, "You really know how to use me as an excuse."

Qin San Lang found out that Gu Jin’an and his group were going to the Prefecture City tonight and also had things to tell him. Upon hearing the message from Dou Family’s servant, he came over quickly.

"Company Commander Qin!" Young Master Dou personally went to meet Qin San Lang, offering him tea and pastries: "The sun is blazing, Company Commander Qin, have some tea to quench your thirst, and eat a pastry to fill your stomach."

He added, "I received news that Liu Chief Commander, brother of Gao Sanxiong, defected with troops. Is it true? Are you going to capture him personally, Company Commander Qin?"

Gu Jin’an was also curious about this matter, and said, "Today, Young Master Dou mentioned the garrison soldiers borrowing money to pay family taxes and Vice Magistrate Su’s expression was quite off. I recalled Liu Chief Commander, it’s been half a month, and there’s no news of his punishment. Has he really fled?"

Qin San Lang nodded, "He indeed fled; he’s a crooked one and has committed more offenses than Gao Sanxiong. Knowing he’s doomed, seeing the soldiers worry over family taxes, he deceived the soldiers, leading nearly a hundred soldiers with over a hundred thugs and fighters towards Central State."

Gu Jin’an sighed in relief, "It’s good he didn’t flee to He’an Prefecture."

He feared that Liu would come to He’an Prefecture seeking revenge with his men.

However, Qin San Lang had no intention of letting Liu Chief Commander live. He proposed the idea to confiscate Gao Sanxiong’s house, and Liu must not be allowed to survive. He must be killed to eliminate future troubles, otherwise Xiao Yu and the others wouldn’t be safe.

"You can rest easy going to the Prefecture City; I am here at home. Liu Chief Commander won’t survive, nor will he cause bigger issues in chaos." Qin San Lang held his hand on the knife handle, his gaze steady, and assured Gu Jin’an.

Gu Jin’an knew he had people at his disposal, even without personally leading troops to eliminate Liu Chief Commander, he could send folks to assassinate him, so he nodded and said, "With your words, I’m relieved."

In truth, he was still worried about Third Miss. Although she was clever and skilled at horseback riding and archery, she was ultimately a young lady. With Master Ouyang away these few days, there’s no one to protect her, and if evildoers sneaked into the house, she could be in danger.

As he thought more, he grew increasingly concerned, and discreetly entrusted Qin San Lang, "Master Ouyang’s family has womenfolk; please keep an eye out these days, and ensure nothing happens."

Qin San Lang said, "Alright, I’ll send someone to watch over."

Recalling what Xiao Yu said, that Good Brother An really likes Miss Ouyang, he added, "Master Ouyang has already deployed a batch of Shadow Guards, enough to protect them, you can rest assured."

Gu Jin’an nodded, took out a letter, and handed it to Qin San Lang, "Send this back home, let them know they don’t need to worry about me."

"Okay." Qin San Lang accepted the letter, then turned to clasp his fists to Young Master Dou, "Young Master Dou, your righteousness is appreciated; I hope for a safe return from your errand."

Ah, ah, ah, the Young Marquis proactively talked to him!

Young Master Dou was excited, his face brightening despite his weary look from staying up late, and he laughed, "Rest assured, Company Commander Qin, I’ve seen countless storms and waves; those old scoundrels in the Prefecture City dreaming to take advantage of me, that’s just wishful thinking!"

He further asked, "Company Commander Qin, have you eaten yet? Should I send to Futai Building for a few tables of dishes to be delivered for you?"

Gu Jin’an helplessly thought, why are you always afraid San Lang hasn’t eaten? The moment you see him, you call for food.

Well, Young Master Dou just thought the Young Marquis had suffered, fleeing southward from disaster, the mere thought tugged at his heartstrings, now that he encountered him, how could he not send some good dishes to Young Marquis?

Qin San Lang declined, "No need, the government office has food."

Gu Jin’an also said, "San Lang is right, you don’t have to worry about their meals. Keep sending food, and your relationship with Li Shuzi will become even harder to explain."

The people of Tianfu County love gossip and enjoy spreading rumors. Seeing Mrs. Zhou and Li Shuzi bringing the bank’s servants to deliver food to the Military Office soldiers started inquiries about Li Shuzi, Mrs. Zhou, and Young Master Dou’s relationship.

Upon hearing Li Shuzi and his mother were saved by Young Master Dou, they got overly excited, even spreading rumors that Li Shuzi was Young Master Dou’s illegitimate son.

Mrs. Zhou was also rumored to have once served Young Master Dou, but due to fleeing disaster, they lost contact. To protect Young Master Dou’s son, she had to submit to Li Kuihu, becoming a tragic woman.

Fortunately, in the end, Young Master Dou heroically rescued the mother-son duo, reuniting the three of them.

As for Mrs. Zhou, a Northwest maiden, knowing Young Master Dou, a Capital young master, there’s no need to worry, people said it’s because Young Master Dou went to Northwest for business, and that’s where they met!

Damn, the tale was spun so convincingly, even Young Master Dou almost believed it... But damn it, although this Young Master has slept with women, every time he gave them anti-fertility soup, so wanting to conceive a child is simply impossible.

Young Master Dou was furious, scolded Dou Zhi and Li Shuzi’s mother and child harshly, demanding they immediately stop the rumors. If his reputation got sullied, preventing him from marrying a noble young lady, he would never forgive them!

Dou Zhi and the mother and son were scolded terribly, so they hastened out to clarify, but upon seeing Dou Zhi, people spun a tale of how Dou Zhi, liking Young Master Dou, was jealous of Mrs. Zhou’s ability to bear a son for Young Master Dou, thus plotting to harm Mrs. Zhou with intent to keep the child while ditching the mother.

What? She likes Young Master Dou? This was news to her!

Dou Zhi was furious, had Dou Meng take time to severely beat those slanderers, breaking four people’s limbs and dislocating two people’s jaws, which finally stopped the rumors.

Ugh, a bunch of bastards needing a beating to quiet down!

Since then, Young Master Dou grew even more disdainful towards Li Shuzi and his mother, sending them off to the county’s separate yard, ordering them not to leave unless necessary, and warning them that if trouble arose again, they’d be thrown out.

However, Young Master Dou knew Dou Zhi still wanted to care for Li Shuzi, hence he didn’t mistreat them but continued to provide good food and drink, just didn’t favor them much, finding them both useless and troublesome.

"Gu Jin’an, you really know how to speak, would you die if you didn’t bring up this matter?" Young Master Dou recalled this matter, his face sour.

Qin San Lang laughed, seeing this, and didn’t stay longer, stepping out.

Master Ouyang arrived in the county near dusk, first visiting the bank, learning Young Master Dou and the others had arranged everything, then accompanied them to the county government.

Su Vice Magistrate had long grown impatient from waiting, had sent people to the bank countless times urging them, yet upon seeing Young Master Dou and the others bring Master Ouyang, all his irritation vanished.